Beautiful Spanish Slang: Saying ‘Pretty’ From Madrid to Mexico City

¡Hola, amigos fashionistas! Lucia here, your stylish guide to making your Spanish sound fresh, fun, and full of flair. As someone who’s spent time in both the fashion capitals of the world and lived between Spanish-speaking countries, I know that the way we speak can be as unique as the clothes we wear. And just like every outfit has its own vibe, the way we express “pretty” or “beautiful” in Spanish changes depending on the country and context. Let’s dive into the colorful ways to describe something or someone as “pretty” across the Spanish-speaking world!

Saying ‘Pretty’ in Different Spanish-Speaking Countries

1. ‘Bonita’ – The All-Purpose Favorite (Spain and Latin America)

“Bonita” is one of the most commonly used words to describe something that’s pretty, cute, or lovely. It’s used all across the Spanish-speaking world and is a go-to word for both things and people.

• “Qué bonita es esta flor.” – “How pretty this flower is.”
• “Ella es muy bonita.” – “She is very pretty.”

2. ‘Chula’ – A Sweet Compliment (Mexico)

In Mexico, “chula” is a super sweet way to say someone is pretty or cute. It’s endearing and often used to describe something or someone that makes your heart smile.

• “¡Qué chula está esa falda!” – “How pretty that skirt is!”
• “Esa niña está bien chula.” – “That girl is really cute.”

3. ‘Linda’ – The Classic Compliment (Argentina)

In Argentina, “linda” is the go-to word for pretty or cute. It’s not just used for physical appearance but also for things that are sweet or nice.

• “¡Qué linda está la ciudad hoy!” – “How pretty the city is today!”
• “Es una chica muy linda.” – “She is a very pretty girl.”

4. ‘Guapa’ – Gorgeous and Confident (Spain)

In Spain, “guapa” is often used for describing someone who is not just pretty, but confident and attractive. It’s a compliment that also conveys a sense of elegance.

• “¡Qué guapa estás hoy!” – “You look gorgeous today!”
• “Esa chica es muy guapa.” – “That girl is very attractive.”

Make an Impression in Spanish

1. ‘Bomba’ – A Knockout (Colombia)

In Colombia, “bomba” is used to describe something or someone who is “a knockout.” This term is often used for someone who turns heads with their beauty.

• “¡Esa chica está bomba!” – “That girl is a knockout!”
• “Esa fiesta estuvo bomba.” – “That party was amazing.”

2. ‘Guapísima’ – Extra Gorgeous (Spain and Latin America)

If you want to take your compliment to the next level, add “-ísima” to “guapa,” making it “guapísima”—this word conveys that someone is extremely beautiful.

• “¡Qué guapísima estás!” – “You look extremely gorgeous!”
• “Ella es guapísima, la vi en el concierto.” – “She is extremely beautiful, I saw her at the concert.”

3. ‘Preciosa’ – Absolutely Beautiful (Spain and Latin America)

“Preciosa” is often used for describing someone or something that is absolutely beautiful, usually in a graceful, elegant sense.

• “¡Qué preciosa es esta pintura!” – “How beautiful this painting is!”
• “Ella es preciosa.” – “She’s beautiful.”

Fun Phrases for Extra Flair in Your Spanish Chats

1. ‘Estar como un sol’ – To Be Like the Sun (Spain)

Used to describe someone who shines with beauty and radiance, just like the sun! This phrase shows admiration for someone’s charm and appearance.

• “¡Qué guapa! Estás como un sol.” – “How beautiful! You’re like the sun.”
• “Mi hermana está como un sol hoy, siempre sonriendo.” – “My sister is like the sun today, always smiling.”
• “Esa chica tiene una sonrisa como el sol.” – “That girl has a smile like the sun.”

2. ‘Estar de buen ver’ – To Be a Sight for Sore Eyes (Spain)

When someone looks so good that they are hard to ignore, you can say they’re “de buen ver”—a sight for sore eyes! It’s a great way to compliment someone’s appearance.

• “¡Qué guapa está hoy! Está de buen ver.” – “How pretty she looks today! She’s a sight for sore eyes.”
• “Este restaurante está de buen ver, tiene una vista increíble.” – “This restaurant is a sight for sore eyes, it has an incredible view.”
• “¡Wow! El paisaje está de buen ver.” – “Wow! The landscape is a sight for sore eyes.”

3. ‘Estás hecho/a un pincel’ – To Look Like a Million Bucks (Spain)

This phrase literally means “you look like a paintbrush” but is used to tell someone they look fantastic, well-groomed, and polished—like they’ve put extra effort into their appearance.

• “¡Qué guapo estás! Estás hecho un pincel.” – “You look so handsome! You’re looking sharp.”
• “Mi amiga está hecha un pincel hoy, se puso un vestido precioso.” – “My friend looks fantastic today, she’s wearing a beautiful dress.”
• “Hoy estás hecha un pincel, ¡me encanta ese maquillaje!” – “You look amazing today, I love that makeup!”

4. ‘¡Qué guay!’ – How Cool! (Spain)

In Spain, this expression is commonly used to express excitement and admiration. It’s the perfect phrase to show you’re impressed with something, whether it’s a person, an event, or even an idea!

• “¡Qué guay! Ese lugar está increíble.” – “How cool! That place is amazing.”
• “¡Qué guay está esa camiseta!” – “How cool is that T-shirt!”
• “¡Qué guay es tu idea! Me encanta.” – “How cool is your idea! I love it.”

5. ‘Te ves de película’ – You Look Like a Movie Star (Latin America)

If you want to make someone feel extra special and glamorous, use this phrase, which means “you look like you’re in a movie.” It’s perfect for when someone looks absolutely stunning.

• “¡Te ves de película! ¿De dónde sacaste ese vestido?” – “You look like a movie star! Where did you get that dress?”
• “Hoy estás de película, ¿qué pasa?” – “You look amazing today, what’s going on?”
• “¡Te ves de película! ¡Tienes una actitud increíble!” – “You look like a movie star! You’ve got such an incredible attitude!”

Useful Phrases Beyond Beauty

1. ‘Tener Buena Onda’ – To Have Good Vibes

In Spanish, if someone has a great personality or is really chill, you can say they “tienen buena onda,” which literally translates to “they have good vibes.” This phrase is commonly used in Argentina and other Latin American countries.

• “¡Esa chica tiene buena onda, siempre está sonriendo!” – “That girl has good vibes, she’s always smiling!”
• “La fiesta estuvo llena de buena onda.” – “The party was full of good vibes.”

2. ‘Ser un Crack’ – To Be Really Good at Something

In Spain and Latin America, if someone is really good at something, they’re often called “un crack”. It’s a fun way of saying someone is a rockstar or expert in their field.

• “Eres un crack jugando al fútbol.” – “You’re a rockstar at playing soccer.”
• “Mi hermana es un crack haciendo pasteles.” – “My sister is amazing at making cakes.”

3. ‘Estar Flipando’ – To Be Shocked or Impressed (Spain)

In Spain, if something is so good that it leaves you speechless, you can say you’re “flipando.” This expression means you’re blown away or astonished by something.

• “¡Estoy flipando con este paisaje!” – “I’m blown away by this landscape!”
• “No puedo creer que ganamos, ¡estamos flipando!” – “I can’t believe we won, we’re in shock!”

4. ‘Pura Vida’ – The Ultimate Costa Rican Phrase

In Costa Rica, “pura vida” is not just slang, it’s a way of life. It literally means “pure life,” but it’s used to say “cool,” “awesome,” or even “everything’s great.” It’s a phrase that captures the laid-back, positive attitude of Costa Ricans.

• “¡Qué pura vida estuvo la fiesta!” – “The party was so cool!”
• “¡Pura vida, amigo! ¿Cómo estás?” – “Everything’s great, friend! How are you?”

💡Pro Tip: Want to practice these phrases with a native touch? With Praktika’s AI Spanish tutors, you can use these expressions in real conversations, and your tutor will help you get them just right, correcting you on the spot if needed.

Speak Like a Local with These Slang Tips

1. Use It in Context: Practice with Real-Life Situations

• Exercise: Practice saying this phrase when you see something beautiful in your surroundings—whether it’s a picture, a piece of art, or someone’s outfit. For example, “¡Qué bonita está esa camisa!” – “How pretty is that shirt!”

2. Challenge Yourself: Create Sentences Using Different Slang

• Exercise: Try to use two different slang words in the same sentence to expand your vocabulary.
  • “¡Esa chica está guapísima, está hecha un sol!” – “That girl is gorgeous, she’s like the sun!”

3. Speak Out Loud: Practice Makes Perfect

• Exercise: Find a video in Spanish (maybe a Spanish-language TV show or vlog) and listen carefully to how locals use slang. Pause and repeat the phrases out loud.
  • “¡Te ves preciosa!” – “You look beautiful!”
• Focus on matching their rhythm and tone, which will help you speak more confidently and naturally.

4. Incorporate Slang into Your Daily Routine

• Exercise: Challenge yourself to use one new compliment or beautiful expression every day. For example, one day, use “bonita,” the next day try “chula,” and so on. 

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes! The more you practice, the more natural your slang will sound. Don’t be afraid to use these phrases, even if you’re unsure. People will appreciate your effort, and with Praktika’s AI Spanish tutors in your arsenal, you’ll get immediate feedback to help you improve.

Ready to Rock Your Slang?

Now that you’re equipped with cool words and phrases from Spain and Latin America, go ahead and start using them! As your AI Spanish tutor, I’m committed to helping you practice these slang expressions with confidence in the Praktika app. Ready to impress everyone with your cool Spanish? Let’s do this!